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Perez leaves favorable impression

Perez leaves favorable impression

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Martin Perez

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OAKLAND -- Martin Perez's rookie season with the Rangers is over. He ended up 1-4 with a 5.45 ERA in six starts and six relief appearances after allowing four runs in four innings against the Athletics on Monday night. In 38 innings, he allowed 47 hits while opponents hit .297 off him. He allowed 15 walks and struck out 25.

Perez, who is just 21 and rated as the Rangers' top pitching prospect, still left a favorable impression on manager Ron Washington.

"He's growing," Washington said. "He showed some flashes of what he's capable of doing and he showed flashes of his youth. He's growing. It's going to take time."

Washington said Perez is probably behind fellow left-handers Matt Harrison and Derek Holland as far as their development when they broke into the Major Leagues. But Harrison and Holland were both 22 when they made their Major League debut.

"Holland and Harrison had the ability to throw two pitches over the plate consistently," Washington said. "Holland, when he first came up, had the fastball and the changeup. Harrison had the curve and the changeup. Perez has a changeup, but it's inconsistent. He has good depth on his breaking ball, but it's inconsistent. He's also still learning to use his fastball on both sides of the plate.

"But he's got four pitches. I see him a starter. He's young and still learning, but he'll figure it out."